November 15, 2024

Michigan Tech alumnus Kalvin Hartwig ’10 (B.S. Social Sciences, A.A. Humanities) is bringing the Force to life as a main cast voice actor in the Ojibwe dub of “Star Wars: A New Hope” — the first Hollywood or Disney film dubbed in Ojibwe. The film premiered in select theaters on Aug. 8 and began streaming on Disney+ on Oct. 27.

“I feel proud and honored to join such an inspiring team of people making this history,” Hartwig said. “And how incredible it was to feel the pride of the hundreds of fellow Anishinaabeg in the premiere audience hearing our language on the big screen.”

Hartwig, an award-winning filmmaker and member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has dedicated his career to supporting Indigenous language and cultural revitalization, remaining engaged with the Tech community since graduation.

Read about Kalvin’s “Star Wars” experience, including how he landed the role, on Alumni Stories.

Michigan Tech research crosses disciplines — and crosses the globe. “International partnerships are really key to expanding your research network, research ideas, and to be able to have your research out into industry and be applied,” said Professor Caryn Heldt (ChE), who directs the University’s Health Research Institute.

In the Heldt Bioseparations Laboratory, research team members are collaborating to apply their work in ways that can be adapted for best use in countries throughout the world. Bellicia Kamwanya, a research biologist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, teamed up with award-winning MTU researcher Vaishali Sharma in Heldt’s lab as part of the U.S.-Africa Frontiers fellowship program.

Hear from Kamwanya in a video on the College of Engineering Blog.

The Student Affairs CommUNITY Education Team invites faculty and staff of our community to register for Safe Place Ally Training, being held Jan. 27 and 29 from 1-3 p.m. each day (attendance on both days is required for the training).

Safe Place is about fostering an environment of inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals on our campus and in the surrounding community through:

• Educating individuals on LGBTQIA+ issues relating to gender and sexuality and how one can intervene when they witness discrimination.

• Creating visibility of people who can provide resources to LGBTQIA+ community members.

• Establishing brave spaces that challenge oppression.

To register, please complete the Safe Place Training Sign Up form. The cohort will accept 30 people.

To promote environmental sustainability awareness, the medicinal chemistry faculty in the Department of Chemistry (Athar Ata, Lanrong Bi, Shiyue Fang and Tarun Dam), together with IDEAHub educational innovation group members Maria Bergstrom (HU), Kelly Steelman (PsyHF) and Teresa Woods (Math), have organized a student poster session on "Green Chemistry in Drug Synthesis."

The poster session will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the MUB Superior Room (MUB B001). Pizza will be served.

This event aims to emphasize the significance of eco-friendly practices in pharmaceutical development, encouraging students to explore sustainable approaches to drug synthesis. Inspired by the IDEAHub educational innovation training workshop, this poster session also serves as a platform for incorporating novel, sustainability-focused ideas into classroom teaching and enhancing educational engagement and environmental consciousness.

Karin Kirk of Yale Climate Connections and NASA Earth Science will give a talk as part of the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) Fall 2024 Seminar Series on Monday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. in M&M U113.

The presentation is titled “Sometimes the most impactful science conversations don't have that much to do with science.”

Read Kirk's abstract and bio at the EPSSI's Fall 2024 Seminar Series page.

Michigan Tech soccer's senior forward Julia Pietila and junior defender Olivia Gette have earned GLIAC awards. Pietila was named to the All-GLIAC First Team At-Large, while Gette was tabbed to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team.

Pietila led the Huskies offensively with six goals, including two game-winners, and two assists. She produced a team-leading 55 shots with 28 on goal, and logged 1,352 minutes of play, starting all 18 games for the Huskies this season. She finished the season with a team-high 14 points.

Gette started 15 games for Michigan Tech, logging 1,197 minutes on the backline. She played all 90 minutes in 10 games this season and was a key piece defensively in Tech's six shutouts. She produced 15 shots with 11 on goal, with her season-high coming at Ferris State with four shots and three on target.

Read more about the honorees at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech football team will travel downstate to conclude the regular season with a tilt at Saginaw Valley State slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff tomorrow, Nov. 16, at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium.

Watch MTU football on FloSports (subscription required — a discount is available for students).

Read the football preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech women's basketball team is set for its home opening weekend for the 2024-25 season, welcoming NSIC foes Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston to the SDC Gymnasium.

The Huskies will play the Beavers tonight, Nov. 15, for a 5 p.m. tipoff, before a 3 p.m. tilt with the Golden Eagles tomorrow, Nov. 16.

Watch MTU women's basketball on FloSports (subscription required — a discount is available for students).

Read the women's basketball preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

The Michigan Tech men's basketball team is traveling to Minnesota to continue its nonconference slate. The Huskies tilt at Winona State at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 16, then tip off at Concordia-St. Paul at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Live stats and a livestream of the games can be found at Michigan Tech Athletics' Live Events page.

Watch MTU men's basketball on FloSports (subscription required — a discount is available for students).

Read the men's basketball preview at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Vollwerth's Family Night — Friday, Nov. 22

Michigan Tech hockey and Vollwerth-Baroni Company are teaming up with Husky Eats to bring you Vollwerth's Family Night next Friday, Nov. 22, for the Huskies' game against Minnesota State.

Each purchase of a Family Four-Pack of tickets (two adult, two youth) will come with four coupons for a free Vollwerth's hot dog and soda at the Husky Eats concessions in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Have more than four in your family? No problem. You can purchase additional youth tickets (up to four) at just $10 apiece, and each ticket gets a free hot dog/soda coupon.

Family Four-Pack hockey tickets can only be purchased in person at the SDC Central Ticket Office or by calling 906-487-2073. Don't wait! Get your Nov. 22 Family Pack today!

Junior Hockey Night — Saturday, Nov. 23

Michigan Tech hockey and Husky Eats present Junior Hockey Night for the Huskies' game on Saturday, Nov. 23, versus the Mavericks.

Each youth (3-18 years old) wearing a jersey to the game will receive a coupon at the door for free popcorn from the Husky Eats concessions in the Mac.

Bring Your Skates! After Saturday's game, kids are invited to skate with the Huskies on the ice, with a chance for kids to get photos and autographs. Helmets are required to skate, and the Skate Rental Center will be open to borrow helmets if you forget yours. Friendly Reminder: There won't be secure storage for skates and helmets in the arena during the game.

Job Postings for Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

STEM Success Coordinator, Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Apply online.

Senior Media Systems Engineer, Information Technology. Apply online.

Administrative Aide, Sponsored Programs Office (UAW posting dates Nov. 15 to Nov. 21, 2024 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

Abdolmajid Erfani (CEGE/MTTI) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $450,000 research and development contract from the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NASEM).

The project is titled "A Guide for Implementing Price Adjustment Clauses to Balance Risk Sharing in Construction Projects."

Zhanping You (CEGE/MTTI) is the co-PI on this potential two-and-a-half-year project.

Kathy Halvorsen (VPR/SS/CFRES) and Petra Huentemeyer (Physics) were quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about the 41 North Film Festival’s 10th anniversary celebration. Halverson and Huentemeyer discussed connections between scientific research in rural areas and local community impacts, which was a theme explored in the film “Small Town Universe.”

*****

Tara Bal (CFRES) was quoted and Katie Bershing (CFRES) was mentioned by the Oakland County Times in Ferndale, Michigan, in a story about oak wilt disease prevention. Bal shared insights from ongoing research, recommending winter as the safest time to prune oak trees and minimize the risk of infection.

*****

WNMU-FM mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Michigan Humanities grants awarded for cultural programming. Michigan Tech is one of 17 organizations in the state to receive one of the grants, which are intended to connect the public to Michigan’s rich cultural heritage and historical resources.

*****

The Traverse City Ticker, 9&10 News and UpNorthLive mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about the launch of the North Ed Foundation, a new nonprofit supporting Northwest Education Services students with scholarships and emergency assistance, including $1,000 renewable scholarships to Michigan Tech.

*****

UPword mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Houghton’s new branding efforts. The city is seeking input through a public survey to define a brand that could combine Houghton’s mining history with its modern assets, such as its historic downtown and Michigan Tech’s trail system. 

*****

99.1 WFMK-FM mentioned Michigan Tech in a story highlighting ghost towns along a scenic route in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, noting that the site of Pori, once a POW camp, later served as a summer camp for Michigan Tech forestry students before closing in 1953.

*****

The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech men’s basketball guard Pete Calcaterra and hockey forward Stiven Sardarian being named players of the week. Calcaterra received GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Sardarian was recognized as CCHA Forward of the Week.

*****

Distractify mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the role of alum Marty Lagina ’77 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) on the popular History Channel series “Curse of Oak Island.”

*****

The Manistee News Advocate mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the recent appointment of Bruce Lowing ’80 (B.S. Civil Engineering) as chairman of the West Shore Bank Board of Directors.

CFO Candidate Presenting at Open Forum Today

The University invited two additional candidates to interview for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Vice President for Administration position. Candidate interviews will be conducted over two days and will include a presentation of their vision for research at Michigan Tech at an open forum.

Candidate Open Forum Presentation:
Friday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B
CFO candidate Calvin Yu will provide a public presentation titled “Academic Finance and Administration: A Vision for Michigan Tech” at an open forum today, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Memorial Union.

Candidate resumes, cover letters, interview dates and open forum information can be viewed at the Chief Financial Officer Search page. A Michigan Tech login is required to view candidate information.

The search committee encourages the campus community to attend and to provide feedback by completing the anonymous comment form provided on the candidate webpage. Feedback forms will be posted immediately following each candidate's visit and remain available for 72 hours following the last candidate’s visit.

Recordings of the candidate presentations will be available to those who are unable to attend because of a valid scheduling conflict, those working 100% remotely and those who have accommodations. Please contact the Office of the President at hlherman@mtu.edu to request access.

*****

Nominations Open for 2024 Making a Difference Staff Awards

Staff Council invites the campus community to submit nominations for the 2024 Making a Difference Staff Awards. Nominations are now open, and regular full-time and part-time staff are eligible. All faculty and staff are invited to submit a nomination of a deserving colleague or write a letter in support of a nomination.

The categories are:

• Innovation Award
• Behind the Scenes
• Legacy Award
• Outstanding Leader
• Rookie Award
• Serving Others
• Unsung Hero

Award recipients will receive $500 after taxes. Past recipients are not eligible to receive another award until five years after their previous award year.

Please follow these steps:

1. Review the award criteria
2. Create your nomination letter
3. Collect your letters of support (no more than three one-page letters)
4. Complete the nomination form

Please note that you will need to be prepared to upload your nomination letter and letters of support as one PDF file in the nomination form.

For more information, please go to the Staff Council’s Making a Difference Staff Awards webpage.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 22.

*****

Recording of Diverse Dialogues Available

A Zoom recording of the Diverse Dialogues: Native American Heritage Month event is now available.

Access the Recording on Zoom (use passcode u.2Zq#zj).

The next Student Affairs CommUNITY Education Team event will be an Accessible Events Workshop on Dec. 3.

*****

Registration for Husky Innovate Pitch Competition Ends Sunday

Do you have an innovative business or product idea that addresses real-world problems and opportunities? Husky Innovate invites students to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and compete for cash prizes.

• Competition Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 5-7 p.m. in M&M U115
• Registration Deadline: Sunday, Nov. 17, at 11:59 p.m.
• Prizes:
  • First Place: $500
  • Second Place: $300
  • Third Place: $200
  • Additional awards for Social Innovation and Audience Choice

Find full details and the registration link on Husky Innovate's Idea Pitch Competition 2024 webpage.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Women's Soccer vs GLIAC Tournament Semifinals

Friday, November 15, 12–3 a.m.

Women's Soccer vs GLIAC Tournament Semifinals

*****

Women's Volleyball at Saginaw Valley State

Friday, November 15, 12–3 a.m. | University Center, Mich.

Women's Volleyball at Saginaw Valley State University Center, Mich.

*****

ACMAL Fall2024 Workshop on Electron Microscopy Techniques for Small samples and Thin Films

Friday, November 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Michigan Tech Campus, M&M630 and ATDC149

The Applied Chemical and Morphological Laboratory (ACMAL) is sponsoring an free-of-charge internal hands-on workshop on electron microscopy presenting by Dr. Freitas on...

*****

Master's Defense: Connor Hall

Friday, November 15, 9–10 a.m. | Fisher Hall, 133

Chemistry Advisor: Ashutosh Tiwari A physicochemical characterization of protein aggregates: Influence of lipid membranes and surfaces Attend Virtually:...

*****

Master's Defense: Ryan Navarre

Friday, November 15, 9–10 a.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry Building, G004

Geographic Information Science Co-advisors: Mickey Jarvi and Michael Hyslop THE EFFECT OF SEASONAL ICE COVER DURATION ON SHORELINE EROSION IN LAKE MICHIGAN

*****

Graduating and Still Looking?

Friday, November 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Are you graduating soon and need help finding a job? Come in for a coffee and chat with one of our career advisors. We can help tailor your search, review your resume, bounce...

*****

PhD Defense: Daniel Lesko

Friday, November 15, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 1021

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Advisor: Vinh Nguyen ASSESSING THE SOUND QUALITY OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS USING DATA-DRIVEN METHODOLOGIES Attend Virtually:...

*****

PhD Defense: Mohanish Kishor Chandurkar

Friday, November 15, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | H-STEM Complex, 348

Biomedical Engineering Advisor: Sangyoon Han ENDOTHELIAL TRACTION DYNAMICS AND MECHANOTRANSDUCTION IN RESPONSE TO TIME-VARYING FLUID SHEAR STRESS (FSS)

*****

Cookies & Coloring

Friday, November 15, 1–3 p.m. | CDI Basement

De-stress with an afternoon of adult coloring and learn more about what the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being offers! Located in the basement of CDI and hosted...

*****

Electron Microscopy Consultation Sessions

Friday, November 15, 1–3 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 607

As part of ACMAL actions to strengthen the electron microscopy user base at Tech, Dr. Erico Freitas is offering a few hours of free-of-charge consultations in November for the...

*****

Python Workshop

Friday, November 15, 5–6 p.m. | Rekhi 113

A free, in person, python workshop for beginners!

*****

Shabbat Hang out

Friday, November 15, 5:00–6:30 p.m. | Fisher Hall

This is a weekly meeting where we have challah, grape juice, and cookies or some baked goods. It It is also a time to be together as a Jewish community on campus, and plan any...

*****

Chess Club Opening Night

Friday, November 15, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Wads G42-W

We will be starting off the chess year with introductions and chess rounds! It will be hosted in Wads G42-W

*****

The Glass Menagerie - Michigan Tech Theatre

Friday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. | McArdle Theatre

MICHIGAN TECH THEATRE SERIES EVENT The play that catapulted Tennessee Williams to Broadway fame! Largely autobiographical, Tom (Williams' real name) narrates the story of his...

*****

Husky's Pack Fisher 135! - Film Board Presents "The Dark Knight"

Friday, November 15, 8:15–9:15 p.m. | Fisher 135

Film Board is going to be putting on a showing of The Dark Knight on November 15 with the goal of filling Fisher 135 WHICH IS FREE TO ALL STUDENTS OF Michigan Tech! We have...

*****

Mitochondrial Transfer via Endothelial-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Disease

November 15, all day | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 102

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar B. Rita Alevriadou University at Buffalo – SUNY Abstract Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) constitute an important...